8 things nobody expects about the American South until they actually visit

Hospitality that isn't performance, a food culture with real regional variation, humidity that changes how an entire day is planned — what actually surprises first-time visitors once they' [...]

Inside the increasingly branded world of RushTok

Brands like Nike and Poppi are turning RushTok into a marketing machine with sponsored dances, free products, celebrity visits, and elaborate activations. [...]

From TikTok to witness list: How much can social media influence the Lindsay Clancy trial?

A viral TikTok led Lindsay Clancy’s defense to seek a potential witness, showing how true-crime fandom can enter the courtroom. [...]

The 10 best cities in the world for Gen Z to live in 2026, ranked

From Tokyo's youth exhibition program to Melbourne's culture and a city where affordability and happiness don't always go hand in hand [...]

Lucy Dacus Subway Takes episode has me staring at birds

Kareem Rahma's 'Subway Takes' interview with Lucy Dacus has me unable to focus on anything else. [...]

Viral Disneyland Content Creator Defends Her ‘Special Friendship’ With Peter Pan

Disney superfan Toni Kulusich has been accused of stalking her favorite character, sparking discourse about boundaries with park actors. She tells WIRED the backlash is unfair. [...]

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma takes pains to deliver a slasher fan’s dream

Matte paintings—not CGI—warp a world designed to hit a nerve for slasher fans. [...]

Meet Polyester: Gen Zs new way to call you fake

What does "polyester" mean on TikTok? Gen Z’s latest insult describes anything cheap, generic, or inauthentic. [...]

The NFL’s female-focused WAG campaign isn’t fooling anyone

The NFL’s coordinated WAG content push is targeting women and Gen Z, but some female football fans are questioning the strategy. [...]